Lightning Captain and Alternate Captain Elect for 2024-25 – Hockey Writers –

With the departure of Steven Stamkos, the Tampa Bay Lightning will have to name a new captain for the first time in more than a decade. For reference, the last time was in coach Jon Cooper's first full season as head coach.

The lightning must first decide who will wear “C” which is also the one who decides those who may wear “A”. Let's take a look at the possible options based on who is on the list.

Next Captain

In the minds of many, the next captain of Nyazi is very clear. That guy is defenseman Victor Hedman. He has been with the organization since its inception in 2009 and is on his way to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hedman agreed to a four-year extension in early July — potentially sealing his retirement from the organization. He has been co-captain for six seasons. When you think about it, it's a bit surprising that it took him until 2018-19 to get this title but it might look that way in retrospect. Former Lightning players such as Ryan Callahan and Anton Stralman were considered the leaders of the team at the time; Finally, Hedman got his chance.

This decision will not just be based on the officer and the leadership. Hedman is one of the best defensemen in the league even at 33 years old. He just finished sixth in Norris voting last season. Even if he is not a semi-finalist, it says a lot about the player who will finish at the top of the voting.

Related: Lightning: Victor Hedman 2024-25 Expectations

His 76 points in 2023-24 are the second-best of his career and better than the year he won the Norris Trophy. He has plenty left in the tank to lead in the clubhouse and on the ice.

To throw another option, let's talk about Nikita Kucherov. He is one of the best players in the NHL who won the Art Ross Trophy last season and was a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy. He also became the fifth player to record 100 assists in a season. There is a case for him to wear “C”.

However, just because you're the best player on your team doesn't mean you're going to be the captain.

Some Captains

Now, sticking to Kucherov for a while. He has been another captain for two seasons now, he will continue to be captain. That completes one. After that the conversation.

Another option is the Lightning's recently rediscovered captain, defenseman Ryan McDonagh. He was the co-captain for three seasons of his time with the Lightning. It won't be surprising if he wears the “A” again.

Brayden Point could get his chance to get a letter sewn into his jersey for the first time in his career. He is entering his ninth season in the NHL with the Lightning. This forward is a seasoned veteran who has shown that he can be clutch. Point was one of the leading scorers in both of the Lightning's runs to the Stanley Cup and led the NHL last season with 12 game-winning goals. The ability to step up when needed makes him an excellent candidate for a leadership role. You know how to set an example.

There is also a chance that all three names on this list wear an “A.” In theory, there are two alternating captains or three without a captain, but most teams have more than two captains. The New York Rangers, for example, had five captains last season.

Even Nyazi has had up to four captains before. In 2021-22, it was McDonagh, Hedman, Alex Killorn and Corey Perry.

We will have to wait and find out how they go about it. What we do know is that the choice of the next leadership team will be an indication of who Nyazi wants to lead the team into the new era.